Learning Map
MathematicsRatio & Proportionusually ages 9–12

Bar Models for Ratios

Represent ratio and proportion problems using bar models (rectangular strips divided into equal parts labelled with quantities) and tape diagrams (segmented strips showing part-to-part and part-to-whole relationships); use these visual models to set up and solve unequal sharing, scaling, and percentage problems — drawing the diagram first, then reading off the answer

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

If your child needs to share 30 stickers between two friends in a 2:3 ratio, can they draw a bar model — splitting a strip into 5 equal boxes — and use it to work out each share without just guessing?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
Nothing on the map comes before this — it’s a starting point.
Bar Models for Ratiosthis skill · ages 9–12
Unlocks
Ratio Problemsages 10–11Solving relative-sizes problems is most reliably scaffolded by drawing a bar model to set up the relationship
Understanding fractionsages 10–11Unequal sharing problems are the canonical use case for tape diagrams — the visual model makes the structure of the problem transparent
Dividing Quantities by Ratioages 11–13Dividing a quantity in a given ratio is the natural next step from the bar model representation
Calculating Percentagesages 10–11Percentage-of-amount problems can be set up as bar models showing 100% divided into parts
Scale and similar shapesages 10–11Scale factor problems for similar shapes can be represented as ratio bar models

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M5N04low confidenceYear 5 · Number

recognise that 100% represents the complete whole and use percentages to describe, represent and compare relative size; connect familiar percentages to their decimal and fraction equivalents

AC9M6N07low confidenceYear 6 · Number

solve problems that require finding a familiar fraction, decimal or percentage of a quantity, including percentage discounts, choosing efficient calculation strategies and using digital tools where appropriate

AC9M6N09low confidenceYear 6 · Number

use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems, involving rational numbers and percentages, including in financial contexts; formulate the problems, choosing operations and efficient calculation strategies, and using digital tools where appropriate; interpret and communicate solutions in terms of the situation, justifying the choices made

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA3-RN-03low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3
MA2-PF-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M6N09medium confidenceMathematics · Level 6 · Number strand
VC2M5N04low confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Number strand
VC2M6N07low confidenceMathematics · Level 6 · Number strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Percentages (age 9+)ages 9–11 Calculating Percentagesages 10–11 Ratio Problemsages 10–11 Scale and similar shapesages 10–11

All Ratio & Proportion skills →